RARE Colt Camp Perry Model 8” And 10” .22 LR Single Shot Target Pistol C&R
SOLD FOR: $2,361
WOA#: WY240318RU012
Make: Colt
Model: Camp Perry
Serial Number: 2098
Year of Manufacture: 1932
Caliber: 22 LR
Action Type: Single Action, Single Shot, Rotating Breech, Rimfire Pistol
Markings: The tops of the 8 inch and 10 inch barrels are marked “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A. / PATENTED JULY 4, 1905, OCT. 5, 1926″. The left sides of the barrels are marked “CAL. 22 LONG RIFLE”. The left side of the frame has the Rampant Colt. The left side of the swing out block has “CAMP PERRY MODEL”. The front top of trigger guard has “VP” in the triangle and the number “3” is on the rear left side trigger guard. The inside of the crane is marked with the serial number “2098”.
Barrel Length: 8 inches and an extra 10 inch barrel
Sights / Optics: The front sight of the 8 inch is a Partridge blade pinned and screwed to a base fixed to the front of the barrel. The front sight of the 10 inch barrel is a base fixed to the front of the barrel. The front sight is removed from this barrel. The rear sight is a square notch dovetailed to the rear of the top strap, adjustable for windage.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered walnut with silver-colored Colt medallions. The grips have minor handling wear with only a few scattered small marks. The checkering is well defined. There is one small chip on the right stock but no cracks. Overall, the grips are in Very Fine condition.
Magazine Quantity & Condition: None
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 9.5 out of 10. Many military and C&R-eligible weapons have bores that will show erosion. This is not only due to age but to the fact that corrosive primers were commonly used in ammunition worldwide.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 97% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at some edges. The ejector rod, rear face of the breech block, and breech-block latch have some operational wear. There are a few scattered light marks. There is minimal finish left under the front strap of the grip handle. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Very Fine condition or better.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The trigger pull is crisp. The barrel locks up with barely perceptible play to the frame. We have not fired this pistol. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Wooden Box, “CAMP PERRY / 1937″ Patch, Camp Perry Medals, and Camp Perry Cartridge Box make a wonderful display for this piece of Colt history (AMMO WILL SHIP SEPARATELY). This pistol also comes with two replacement front sights original to the competition weapon as well as the 10 inch barrel and barrel block, two different hammers, and two different triggers. I also think I see a mainspring. There is an original catalog from when the CAMP PERRY MODEL first arrived to the civilian market. This allows us all another level of appreciation for this true work of functional, championship winning art.
Our Assessment: The Colt Camp Perry is one of the scarcest Colt cartridge pistols, with only 2,488 produced in total. With the barrel fixed in the breech block, the design is inherently more accurate than contemporary revolvers or autoloaders, but still has the same form-factor as a Colt Officer’s Model, though it is slimmer due to the lack of a cylinder or recoil shield. Despite the quality of the design, and, according to a 1929 catalog listing:
“…having won every official match for .22 caliber single-shot pistols in which it has been entered, including the N.R.A. .22 Cal Slow-Fire Pistol Match, the U.S.R.A. 50-yard Pistol Championship and the 50-meter-International Pistol Match…”,
interest in the pistol was limited, and the model was finally discontinued in 1941 after 20 years of production.
This example is an 8″ model from 1932 and is in Very Good-Plus condition. It retains about 97% of its metal finish with a great bore and strong and smooth mechanics. This is a great example of the Colt Camp Perry, perfect for both the target shooter and the Colt collector. This pistol really made me smile. I am very pleased to offer up for bidding this incredible piece, showing exactly the kind of miraculous machinery Colt was capable of producing. This is something most Colt collectors only dream of owning. I encourage you to look at the pictures and appreciate the quality and condition of this pistol and all its extras. Enjoy the photos and enjoy the auction. (AMMO SHIPS SEPARATELY) -K.F.
